The Punjab Pulse News Bureau
Chandigarh, 12 Mar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Punjab, has welcomed the notification for implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 rules issued by the Union Home Ministry on March 11.
“The courageous action by the BJP to amend the Citizenship Act of 1955 and provide a path for grant of Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis who migrated from neighbouring Muslim-majority countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, before December 31, 2014 due to extreme religious persecution is worthy of the highest praise as a great humanitarian act,” said Jaibans Singh, chief spokesperson, BJP Punjab.
“India, being an old civilisation rooted in the principles of freedom and safeguarding of human rights, is honour bound to provide shelter to persecuted non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh,” added Jaibans Singh
Singh further stated that by standing up to his promise that the law, which was passed in 2019, would be implemented before the Lok Sabha elections, Home Minister Amit Shah, under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has provided much needed relief to a section of humanity that has been deprived and marginalised in their home country and urgently needs assistance.
The CAA makes it easier for non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan to get Indian citizenship. The law is applicable to all migrants who arrived in India on and before December 31, 2014.
The BJP further stated that when the act was passed in parliament in 2019, certain forces created “disinformation through misinformation” even though the concept of giving citizenship to minorities persecuted in Islamic countries was accepted by all political parties, leaders and people of the country right from the time of partition of the country. Many from Mahatma Gandhi to Pundit Jawahar Lal Nehru and Dr. Manmohan Singh had spoken clearly in favour of the initiative.
“Those who are defining CAA as divisive have failed to provide cogent reasons for their opposition. The level of persecution, discrimination and subjugation of minorities in Pakistan is so high that there is no option for them but to get out of the country. They deserve to lead a life of dignity as citizens of in India which is the country of their choice,” said Jaibans Singh.
BJP Punjab has further asserted that CAA is here to stay being a righteous and justified legislation, in tune with the highest tenets of humanity that is the benchmark of India. All nationalist forces need to stand together and remove all apprehensions that are being spread by false rumours.
There are about 400 refugee families that have been in Punjab for long periods of time ranging from 20 years plus to about ten years now. After1992, none has been granted full citizenship. There are similar families in Rajasthan, Delhi and other parts of the country also.
The situation in our neighbouring countries is such that there are hardly any Sikhs and Hindus left in Afghanistan. The small number of minorities in Pakistan also feel that India is the only place where they can go to for which reason the entire exodus is towards India. This situation is highly condemnable and needs to be taken note of by the world community.
A sizeable number among the refugees have affinity with Punjab. Their family members who managed to come out earlier are also are settled here.
test